Attack at US consulate in Jeddah claims lives of security guard, gunman

An attack in front of the US consulate in Jeddah on Wednesday claimed the lives of a security guard and a gunman, said the Saudi police.

An armed man got out of a car in front of the consulate building and was killed as he exchanged gunfire with security officers, said a police spokesman.

"A person in a car stopped near the American Consulate building in Jeddah Governorate and got out of it carrying a firearm in his hand, so security authorities took the initiative to deal with him as required, and the exchange of fire resulted in his death", a spokesperson for the Makkah Region police said.

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The State Department released a statement saying that no Americans were harmed in the incident that took place outside the consulate.

"At 6:45 pm (1545 GMT), a man stopped in a car in front of the consulate building and got out with a weapon in his hand," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted a police spokesman as saying.

"Security forces reacted... resulting in an exchange of fire that killed the assailant," it said.

A Nepalese security officer was wounded and later died.

"We offer our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased local guards member," the State Department said in a statement in Washington.

The State Department said that the Saudi forces killed the attacker. It further added that the kingdom had launched a probe into the incident and that the United States was in touch for further developments.

"The consulate was appropriately locked down and no Americans were harmed in the attack," it said.

Attack occurs as Saudi Arabia welcomes nearly 1.8 million for annual Hajj pilgrimage

The attack took place as Saudi Arabia welcomed some 1.8 million Muslim faithful for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, some 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Jeddah.

The United States consulate in the coastal city of Jeddah on the Red Sea has previously also been a target of attacks. On 4 July 2016, American Independence Day, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the same place.

Another attack in 2004 had claimed the lives of at least 5 people.

(With inputs from agencies)

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